How Did I Miss That?

Part 16: Meekness is not Weakness

 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

Among the definitions for the word meek are docile, spiritless, obsolete, and overly submissive or compliant. These do not sound particularly holy, given that Jesus says the meek will inherit the earth. The word meek, however, can also mean humble, gentle, and kind. As we wonder why Jesus held meekness in such high esteem, the latter definitions may lead us to a better answer. Certainly, Jesus modeled these positive characteristics of meekness.

To say that the meek will inherit the earth seems like a paradox of giant proportions. As we look around our world today, we see a small percentage of people controlling the largest share of the earth’s bounty. My perception of the very rich is hardly meek. I see people who are bold, aggressive, assertive, opportunistic, hard-driving risk-takers. While some may be humble, gentle, and kind in their private lives, their public persona is usually very different.

Meekness, in any of its forms, is not particularly encouraged in character development by our current culture. We have popular, anti-meekness bits of folk wisdom like, “Go for the gusto,” or “You only live once,” or “Just do it!” I suspect the type of meekness Jesus advocated for was not the sniveling, whiny, frightened, spiritless, spineless sort we often associate with the word today. Rather, the meek who will inherit the earth are the strong but humble, gentle, and kind people who place other’s needs above their own. These are common traits of women and men who model their lives after Jesus.

The difficulty in understanding this concept is in our understanding of what it means to inherit the earth. If our desired inheritance is one of vast riches, nice homes, fancy cars, lavish clothing, or a private jet, then meekness is not likely to get us there. These riches are transient, in that they do not last in a way that extends beyond our time on earth. There are other riches uniquely of the earth, however, that imprint on our souls and, I believe, shape our existence beyond this life. Enjoying a stunning sunset, watching the full moon rise over a still ocean, experiencing long-term, deeply-loving relationships, making a positive difference in someone else’s life, and working for causes greater than our own. These are opportunities the earth gives that are available to all, but are only sought and valued by those with a propensity towards meekness. Only the meek will inherit these more lasting gifts of the earth – everyone else will forego them for something more material.

The meek will inherit the earth. How did I miss that?